Occupational airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by gold.

Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by gold is rare, often not even suspected and hence not investigated. Our purpose was to elucidate the clinical relevance of gold-induced airborne contact dermatitis. We analyzed and discussed the occupational dermatitis of two women working as restorers. Both patients' test results showed positive reactions to gold sodium thiosulfate only. The stop-and-relapse test confirmed the diagnostic hypothesis of airborne contact allergy. Our patients turned out to be gold sensitized because of occupational exposure to gold dust and gold leaf.